The Real Republican Record in Albany...We Can't Allow Richie to Give Back Control to them..

For almost half a century, Republicans controlled the state senate with an iron fist. They cut the Democratic Minority out of power, and locked the people of New York out of government. All the while they conducted backroom deals for their own benefit and the benefit of the special interests fueling their campaigns.

Republican rule was characterized by sky-high tax rates, out-of-control spending, and fiscal gimmickry to hide the true costs of their irresponsibility.

Taxes

Senate Republicans have failed New Yorkers. For over 40 years, they passed tax-hike after tax-hike on the middle class to fund outrageous, unnecessary, and redundant programs.

Republicans had over four decades to lower taxes and bring real relief to New Yorkers. For forty-four years, they failed to deliver on their promises to New Yorkers.

During the final three decades of the Republicans Majority, New York State had the highest state and local tax burden in the nation for 27 out of 30 years. In the other 3 years, New Yorkers shouldered the second highest tax burden. Three New York counties rank in the top ten most taxed in the nation.

Government Spending

Republicans claim to be fiscally conservative, but their record tells a different story. While New Yorkers tightened their belts, Republicans went on a spending spree.

Between 1984 and 2008, state spending increased by almost $100 billion – many times the rate of inflation. Despite promises to rein in spending, Republicans violated their own “spending cap” 24 times in 28 years.

During the Pataki-Bruno era, spending not only rose dramatically, but Republicans proved unable to pass an on-time budget. Ten out of 12 budgets were late for a total of 819 days – the equivalent of nearly three full years.

Debt

Thanks to Republicans’ tax-and-spend style of governance, the debt load attributable to every man woman and child in New York soared from $1,774 to $2,675.

Despite a strong economy during the 1990s, Republican spending habits and failure to hold accountable public authorities and corporations resulted in a near doubling of the state debt between 1997 and 2008 from $31billion to $54 billion.

Ethics

The shocking extent to which Republicans used the government as their personal piggy bank, and doled out favors to each other and to supporters, was revealed in 2008.

A report by the New York Times uncovered how Joe Bruno and senate Republicans spent millions of dollars of taxpayer money on perks like the “Bruno Mobile,” and inappropriately used Senate resources for political purposes.

Decades of unethical behavior by Senate Republicans were epitomized by their obstruction of ethics reform and the trial and conviction of former Majority Leader Joe Bruno, who was found guilty on two counts of felony corruption for using his office to reap a $3.2 million pay day.

Where you VOTE in Oswego County Tuesday

Click the link below and you will have a form from the New York State Board of Elections, which will tell you where you vote including directions to the poll site.

Please enter your Last Name, First Name, Date of Birth, County and Address information and press the "Search" button

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Darrel has saved and created jobs for US!!

Aubertine Means Jobs

Get Out the Vote Rally TODAY

The Oswego County Democratic Committee will hold a Get Out the Vote Rally at the American Foundry in Oswego today, Sunday, at 4pm.

Senator Darrel Aubertine will be at the rally.

Just in case you you were thinking of voting for the Republican Candidate for state senate

Aubertine Secures $500,000 for Repairs to Pulaski Retaining Wall

PULASKI, N.Y. — Senator Darrel J. Aubertine announced today that he has secured funding for the Village of Pulaski to be used for emergency assistance in rebuilding and repairing the retaining wall that collapsed earlier this month.

The half-million dollar grant is essential to repairing and rebuilding the retaining wall that was destroyed due to the Salmon River flooding in the Village of Pulaski in heavy rains earlier this month. Its collapse poses a serious threat to the sewage and pumping station nearby, which could result in economic and environmental damage down the Salmon River.

“Fishing on the Salmon River is a part of our way of life locally, but it also supports local jobs and serves as an economic engine for Pulaski and neighboring communities,” Darrel said. “The collapse of the retaining wall put the river in danger and threatened jobs. This grant will help the village make critical repairs without placing that burden on the local property taxpayers, protecting local jobs. The mayor and this village have stepped up to meet this challenge and I am glad to have had this opportunity to direct much needed funding to address this issue.”

In the aftermath of the storm, the Senator joined Pulaski Mayor Ernest Wheeler in calling for an emergency declaration for the damage done by the heavy rains.

“I’m very thankful for Sen. Aubertine coming up with this funding. The half a million dollars for the retaining wall will be very useful,” Mayor Wheeler said. “The project is projected at $1.2 million so we are continuing to work toward bringing in more funding, but to get this funding to restore the wall now is fantastic and I thank Darrel very much.”

Endorsements for Aubertine Roll in Before Election Day

OSWEGO, JEFFERSON & ST. LAWRENCE COUNTIES (October 29, 2010)—With just three days left before the election Sen. Aubertine has announced endorsements from organizations representing thousands of people across Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

These groups include:

· International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 910

· Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local No. 58

· American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

· Civil Service Employees Association

· United Transportation Union

· Teamsters Local 317

· Bridge and Tunnel Officers Benevolent Association

· Transport Workers Union Local 100

“Being endorsed by working families from such a wide array of backgrounds is truly an honor,” Darrel said. “I have worked hard during my tenure in the senate to not only promote economic growth, but sustain jobs for our families here in Central New York and the North Country. We need to keep moving forward and looking to how we can improve the work environment in the future to keep our jobs and families right here where they are. I am committed to this and I look forward to working with all of my friends who have supported me this year and ensuring they and their families have the lives they deserve.”

Darrel Aubertine has a record of standing up for the people he represents, including going against his own party to ensure his constituents’ best interests are always heard loud and clear in the legislature. Darrel has worked across party lines to pass legislation to protect and create new jobs, addressing issues vital to Upstate New York, especially Central New York and the North Country. Darrel has a plan to promote economic growth and sustain jobs that includes a new and improved Power for Jobs program, expanding agricultural processing opportunities in the region, reducing energy taxes, property tax relief, and reducing regulations.

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New York State PBA Endorses Aubertine For Re-Election

Police Union Credits Aubertine for His Commitment to Supporting Law Enforcement

OSWEGO, JEFFERSON & ST. LAWRENCE COUNTIES (October 23, 2010)—State Senator Darrel J. Aubertine has received the support of the New York State Association of Police Benevolent Associations, as the Association decided unanimously to support Darrel in his bid for re-election.

“We are extremely pleased that our Association has unanimously endorsed Sen. Aubertine for re-election as New York State

Senator for the 48^th Senatorial District,” said Thomas Willdigg, President of the New York State Association of PBAs. “Our endorsement is based upon his well known, documented positions taken in support of law enforcement, the friendship you have exhibited toward police officers, and the confidence we have in him to be an effective representative.”

“It is an honor to have the support of men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting ours,” Darrel said. “Throughout my time in the Senate, I been sure to make any possible effort to support the endeavors of law enforcement and ensure they have what they need to do their jobs. The better they can perform, the safer we are.”

The New York State Association of PBAs, Inc. is an organization comprised of more than 50 member units and more than 40,000 police officers in New York State.

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GOP 'Snake Oil' Could Jeopardize Economy

With the midterm elections just 10 days away, President Barack Obama is blasting Republicans' economic policies at rallies in support of Democratic candidates and over the airwaves.

"This is a choice between the policies that got us into this mess and the policies that are going to lead us out of this mess," Obama told a crowd of about 37,000 on Friday at a rally in Los Angeles for California Sen. Barbara Boxer. "They are clinging to the same worn-out, tired, snake-oil ideas that they were peddling before."

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We can't change Albany until we change the people that we send to Albany.

Republicans had 44 years to turn New York around. They failed and New York is the worse for it. Meet 12 women candidates who are ready to bring real change and relief to New York.

A GOP win on Election Day could spell doom for New York

WASHINGTON - New Yorkers don't like playing second fiddle to anyone, but they'll be lucky to be a backup kazoo if Republicans take over Congress.

The Empire State lives up to its name in the House of Representatives now, with four members chairing committees - and eight leading subcommittees.

And it's not about bragging rights - it's about steering billions of dollars home.

If Republicans win 39 seats in the Nov. 2 election to take control of the House, "We'd get creamed," said Baruch College's Doug Muzzio. "All the goodies, all the earmarks - New York can get that because we have representatives in positions of power. We're talking millions and probably billions of dollars."

Billions is right.

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George Pataki's Penny Stock Hits 52-Week Low, Is Under Investigation

George Pataki is having stock trouble.

Earlier this year, when The Observer profiled the former New York governor's odd involvement with penny stocks, the article opened with a scene inside a 36-foot geodesic dome. "It's tremendous," he said, celebrating the tiny plastics company, Perf Go Green, whose board he'd joined. Music from instruments called the drum orb and earth harp played. One arm was in the air. "I'm honored to be a part of it, particularly standing here in this Earth Dome," he said.

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Responce to Doheny Attack Ads

Post-Standard endorsement - 23rd Congressional District: Bill Owens

Democratic incumbent Bill Owens argues he is a better fit for the district than a man with a “career on Wall Street.” Owens, the first Democratic congressman in the district since the Civil War era, won a tumultuous special election last year that included two Republicans — one of whom dropped out and endorsed Owens. In his short tenure, he has compiled a moderate record — voting for the health care bill, but opposing the financial regulation bill because of concerns it would hurt small banks in his district. Like Doheny, he calls for fresh thinking and is concerned about the federal deficit.

Owens is part of the “Center Aisle Caucus” — a small band of Republicans and Democrats trying to bridge the partisan gap. “We’re not successful in getting compromise yet, but we’ll see more as we go forward,” he says. Owens adds he already is working across the aisle to “tweak” health care legislation.

An effective advocate for his district, a voice for moderation and civility in the House, Owens deserves re-election.

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Public Anger

Meet the Candidates

Cuomo endorses Bill Owens

The Democratic gubernatorial hopeful issued a rousing endorsement for U.S. Rep. Bill Owen, D-Plattsburgh, in his reelection bid for the 23rd Congressional District seat against Republican Matt Doheny. The district includes Madison and Oswego counties and part of Oneida county.

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Pataki's Revere America Launches A Slew Of Dishonest Attacks On Health Care Reform

Revere America is an organization launched by former Governor George Pataki (R-NY) aimed at one thing: repealing health care reform. In one of the organization's first attack ads — targeted at Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Owens (D-NY) — Revere America unveils a slew of false and misleading attacks on the health care reform bill, concluding that it is "a plan we didn't want and don't need." In reality, Revere America's claims could not be further from the truth. The Affordable Care Act not only controls costs, but it also strengthens Medicare, provides coverage to millions of uninsured Americans, and cuts the deficit by billions.

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Aubertine claims Ritchie's stance on healthcare 'vague and potentially devasting'

State Sen. Darrel Aubertine’s campaign is calling his opponent’s stance on the healthcare “vague and potentially devastating proposals from Patty Ritchie to gut healthcare for children, seniors, and struggling families in Central New York and the North Country.”

“Fraud and waste cannot be tolerated, but closing off healthcare options for our elderly, the middle class and the struggling families will increase suffering and cost us jobs,” Aubertine said. “We have increased our efforts to drive down waste in the system, saving the taxpayers $700 million. This is where we must continue to focus our efforts and find additional savings, but making cuts to healthcare services with an axe will devastate our community.”

Aubertine’s campaign says that Ritchie has refused to release details of her proposals to cut spending on healthcare in New York.

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Hannibal Democratic Committee Turkey Dinner

Directions to Dinner

Republicans Playing Dirty Tricks in 48 Senate Race

State Senator Darrel Aubertine said recently that he didn’t understand why a Virginia-based company would care about New York politics.

The answer could be because the paper trail leads back to New York State.

The person or persons behind the campaign mailings from Glen Allen, Va.-based Common Sense Principles has remained a mystery. The flyers assault Aubertine and urge support for his opponent, Patricia Ritchie.

Even Ritchie, the St. Lawrence County Clerk who is hoping to unseat Aubertine in the race for the 48th District seat, has now called for the mailings to cease. So, just who is Common Sense?

Business records in the commonwealth of Va. show “Common Sense” was registered April 12 to CT Corporation System, 4701 Cox Road, Suite 301 in Glen Allen (Henrico County).

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Senate Passes 59 Bills Sponsored by Senator Aubertine, Senate GOP Supported Senator 97% of the Time

OSWEGO, JEFFERSON & ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY (October 14, 2010)—An analysis of bills sponsored by State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine shows that bills he has introduced or co-sponsored pass with broad bipartisan support, with Senate Republican Senators supporting his bills 97 percent of the time.

“As I’ve said time and time again, a good idea is not a Republican or a Democratic idea, it’s simply a good idea,” Darrel said. “My work in the Senate has centered on meeting the needs of my constituents and not one of my bills has passed along party lines. I’m proud of that. What I’ve worked to do and what I will continue to do is work without regard to party to do what’s best for Central and Northern New York.”

Nine GOP Senators, including Sen. Joseph Griffo of the neighboring 47^th Senate District, have voted with Sen. Aubertine 100 percent of the time on bills the Senator sponsored which passed the Senate. All of the Senator’s bills received at least 50 votes from the 62 member Senate, with 50 of the 59 bills passing unanimously.

Another 11 Senators voted against just one of Senator Aubertine’s bills, including Sen. Elizabeth Little of the 45^th District in the Northern New York, a co-chair of the Sportsmen’s Caucus, and ranking minority member of the Senate Agriculture Committee Cathy Young.

Sens. Dean Skelos, the Senate minority leader, John DeFrancisco of Central New York, George Winner, Sen. Aubertine’s predecessor as chair of the Rural Resources Commission and fellow co-chair of the Sportsmen’s Caucus Dale Volker opposed just two of 59 bills, meaning they voted with Sen. Aubertine 97 percent of the time on his bills.

The 20 Upstate GOP Senators joined the Senator more than 98 percent of the time on the his bills, which have an Upstate-centric focus, voting yes 1120 times out of a total 1142 votes.

In addition, on bills that would have had a negative impact on Central New York and the North Country, the Senator joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in some cases building opposition among his colleagues in the majority, to defeat it. These bills include the Farm Labor Fair Practices Act and microstamping.

“I have never stopped working to pass legislation that benefits us, be it home rule bills for our individual communities or upstate jobs bills including an extension for Power for Jobs, which sustains several thousand jobs in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties,” Darrel added. “Good representation requires good people and good people know that partisan politics do not work. Working across party lines, we can do the right thing for our communities.”

Sen. Aubertine is chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Rural Resources Commission and the Senate’s Upstate Caucus. He is also vice chair and ranking majority member of the Senate Energy & Telecommunications Committee.

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Democratic Committee members and family you are invited to a Debate Party.

Democratic Committee members and family you are invited to a Debate Party.

Andrew Cuomo vs Carl Paladino

American Foundry in Oswego

Monday Oct 18, 2010 @ 7pm

Sponsored by the Oswego County Democratic Committee, Mayor Bateman and Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 73.

Mike Kunzwiler, Chair

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Oswego County Democratic Committee
147 W 5th Street - Oswego, NY 13126

Wall Street’s Harry Wilson has a very Wall Street plan.

Manufacturers Endorse Aubertine, Record on Jobs

Group cites Senator’s record of open government and commitment to growth in manufacturing

OSWEGO, JEFFERSON & ST. LAWRENCE COUNTIES (October 12, 2010)—The leading voice for manufacturers in New York State has thrown its support behind State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, citing his record of being open and available to employers and his work to advance a pro-manufacturing legislative agenda.

“MACNY and the Manufacturer’s Alliance are committed to economic growth and creating jobs in New York State and I’m proud to have the BIPAC endorsement,” said Sen. Aubertine. “The issues facing our state do not fall within the lines of party politics and I have worked with MACNY to put our economy and jobs on the forefront. By giving everyone a seat at the table, we were able to create ‘Energize New York’ to build on the success of Power for Jobs and push the kinds of measures that will bring manufacturing jobs back to Central New York and the North Country.”

BIPAC, the Business Industry Political Action Committee and the political action committee arm of MACNY, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York was formed in 1980 and is comprised of members from MACNY and the Manufacturers Alliance of New York State. The Senator worked closely with MACNY and the Manufacturer’s Alliance on several major issues, most notably the development of “Energize New York,” collecting input to create a new program to improve Power for Jobs and make the benefits that support 25,000 jobs in Central New York and the North Country permanent with long term contracts for employers so the program can move from preserving jobs to creating jobs.

“It was determined by the Board that Darrel’s history in open dialogue with our membership, his commitment to energy issues and his pro-manufacturing legislation such as elimination of the corporate franchise tax for manufacturers demonstrate that he is well suited to continuing to fight for manufacturers,” BIPAC said in its release “Therefore, BIPAC announces its endorsement of Darrel Aubertine.”

BIPAC looked to endorse pro-manufacturing and reform-minded candidates from all areas of Upstate, focusing their attention on key issues, including energy costs, workers’ compensation, healthcare and the increasing cost of doing business in New York State. This year BIPAC recognized its growing statewide presence and participated in a record 27 races from across the State.

The Senator on Monday announced his Jobs Now plan which includes measures discussed with MACNY to get our economy back on track, as well as a continued commitment to working together to create jobs.

BIPAC Chairman Dean Burrows stated, “The BIPAC Board found this year’s endorsement process both challenging and highly rewarding. It is no secret to candidates and constituents alike that New York State is at a crossroads in both our political and economic times. Our detailed questionnaire, coupled with valuable face-to-face time with the candidates, allowed not only for our Board to discuss the specific issues facing our state’s manufacturing community, but to gain an understanding of who will stand up for us and be a strong voice for manufacturing. During such difficult economic times, it is critical now more than ever to have representatives that will work towards a better business climate for New York State, regardless of what side of the aisle they sit on. We look forward to working together with these individuals in the next

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Stealing Democracy

A Disconnected View of the Oswego County Budget

County legislators to consider deputy administrator position - from the ValleyNews

Oswego County legislators will consider hiring a deputy administrator at a salary of $76,383 plus benefits. The $189.4 million proposed spending plan was unveiled at the Oct. 5 meeting of the legislature’s Finance and Personnel Committee.

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One Opinion

It seems that history is about to repeat it’s self in Oswego County. The current direction of leadership with the county budget must remind those who watch the legislature of when the Republican leadership used all the reserve funds to lower taxes and continue spending several years ago.

Remember the 2002-2003 huge tax increases the Republican Party placed on county taxpayers? Their policies drained all extra cash in the county and then they added extra hidden taxes on county motorists for their spending.

Now with the addition of an assistant administrator at over $75,000.00 a year- is it now time for county taxpayers to start to ask questions of where the county is going in these very difficult economic times.

Carl Paladino's business deals scrutinized

ALBANY — As Carl Paladino, the Tea Party-backed Republican gubernatorial candidate, makes his case to voters, the lucrative real estate and development business he has built is being scrutinized for its reliance on government contracts and tax breaks.

Democratic opponents charge his companies' web of leases with government agencies, tax credits and political contributions to both
parties over the years contradicts a platform that pledges to reduce state spending and taxes.

Good-government advocates believe it's another sign that the state's lax campaign-finance laws, especially rules governing how much one can donate, need an overhaul.

And critics of the Empire Zone program, which provided Paladino's firms with millions of dollars in tax breaks in exchange for little job growth, point to the ineffectiveness of the now-expired economic-development program.

State records obtained by Gannett's Albany Bureau through a Freedom of Information request show Paladino received $3.3 million in Empire Zone tax benefits over the last decade but created only 29 jobs, or $118,305 in tax breaks for each job created.

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We Can't Afford Matt Doheny

AUBERTINE AGREES TO DEBATES ACROSS DISTRICT, CALLS ON CHALLENGER TO ACCEPT INVITES

Statement from Oswego County Democratic Chairman Mike Kunzwiler:

"Today, Senator Aubertine called on his opponent to join him in speaking to the people in a public debate. This is the right thing for the voters. It really shows the Senator’s willingness to stand up to any tough questions or inquiries the media may have.

"Our Senator has a strong record to stand on and Patty Ritchie has simply gone around telling people whatever she thinks they want to hear. What I’ve heard from friends and neighbors who Patty has talked to is that when you pin her down on any issue, she tells you what you want to hear, even if she gives two different people contradicting answers. It’s time Patty Ritchie speaks publicly and on the record.

"I applaud the Senator for being willing to take a stand on issues and speak publicly about the issues in this race. One thing we know about Senator Aubertine is that he’s always willing to let us know where he stands. What does it say about a candidate who will not speak to the media on the issues or speak publicly for the voters?"

AUBERTINE AGREES TO DEBATES ACROSS DISTRICT, CALLS ON CHALLENGER TO ACCEPT INVITES

OSWEGO, JEFFERSON & ST. LAWRENCE COUNTIES (October 8, 2010)—Senator Darrel J. Aubertine has accepted invitations to debate in each of the three counties within the 48^th Senate District and is asking his opponent to do the same.

Several organizations have proposed debates in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties in order to provide the public with an opportunity to witness the two candidates discuss important local issues in an open forum.

“Voters deserve an open and honest dialogue between both candidates,” Sen. Aubertine said. “This is a very large district and having a debate in each county will give the people an opportunity to know where we each stand on the issues important to them. I have accepted invitations for three debates—one each in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, and I would certainly like to see my opponent do the same.”

As it stands today, Sen. Aubertine has accepted invitations to debate in each county. Most recently, he accepted the invitation to a debate sponsored by WRVO at SUNY Oswego on October 19^th. Unfortunately, his opponent has declined this opportunity to address the issues of this race.

“Let’s be honest here: What has the public seen from Patty at this point? Nothing, but scripted campaign talking points and puff pieces,” said Drew Mangione, spokesman for Senator Aubertine’s campaign. “Patty has ducked public interviews, tough questions, open discussions or any other scenario where she is not carefully scripted by her downstate handlers. People know that Darrel has fought for Northern and Central New York, and he knows these forums are important to draw distinctions between candidates. Without these, the public is left to wonder: What does Patty stand for? The voters should know Patty before they vote on Election Day.”

The Senator has also accepted an October 15 debate with WPBS and WWNY-TV reporter Jeff Cole, and another at SUNY Canton on Monday, October 18.

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DEC Action Threatens Oswego Port, Shipping

OSWEGO (October 7, 2010)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today joined St. Lawrence Seaway Administrator Terry Johnson Jr. and Oswego Port Authority Executive Director Jonathan Daniels to speak out against Department of Environmental Conservation action that would impose unworkable rules governing the treatment of ballast water.

These rules threaten the future of shipping along the Seaway and into the Port of Oswego.

“We all want to protect our lake from invasive species that could impact our fish and wildlife tourism industries, but these regulations go too far,” said Sen. Aubertine, who wrote the DEC immediately after the action was proposed and has been leading the efforts in the Senate to bring the DEC to work with shipping interests and commerce. “The conditions imposed by this action are over-broad, and both economically and technologically unworkable. The end result of these regulations would be equal to shutting down the business that comes into our ports along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, impacting the jobs we depend on.”

The DEC action, which was not created by legislation but administratively, would require treatment of water discharged by ships to exceed existing standards 100 times greater than International Maritime Organization standards by 2012 and for new vessels constructed after Jan. 1, 2013, the standards would be expected to exceed 1,000 times current standards. No technology exists anywhere in the world to achieve this goal.

“The DEC has overstepped its bounds here and failed in its responsibility to subject this proposal to public comment and legislative oversight,” Senator Aubertine said. “We cannot shut down New York’s maritime economy to satisfy well intentioned but wrong advocates who think they are doing the right thing, but clearly do not understand the impact of their actions.”

This action would apply to all ships, whether or not they discharge ballast water. The marine industry has collaborated with the U.S. and Canadian governments to ensure strong protections against the introduction of invasive species. All vessels entering the Great Lakes region already comply with the most stringent ballast management regulations in the world. Foreign vessels are required to pump out their ballast water while still at sea and flush any empty tanks with ocean water. Since these rules were put in place in 2006, there have been no new discoveries of aquatic nuisance species entering the Great Lakes via ballast water.

“As the first U.S. port of call on the Great Lakes, the implications of these standards are disastrous. The Port directly employs 100 people and has a wider annual economic impact of more than $6 million,” Executive Director Daniels said. “The Port of Oswego is one of the most productive ports in North America with nearly 150 vessels and more than 1.1 million tons of cargo moving through the Port on an annual basis. Thirteen companies depend on the Port as part of their domestic and international logistics chain. International clients and cargoes span the globe from Brazil and the Netherlands, to Russia and Indonesia. The thought of closing the Port because our home state issued these regulations is inconceivable.”

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The Choice is Clear

Five Ways the Democrats Can Avoid a Catastrophe and Pull Off the Mother of All Upsets

The election is one month from tomorrow and, yes, it looks hopeless. November 2nd -- the day the Dems are expected to crash and burn.

Sadly, it's a situation the Democrats have brought upon themselves -- even though the majority of them didn't create the mess we're in. But they've had over a year and a half to start getting the job done to fix it. Instead, they've run scared ever since they took power. To many, the shellacking they're about to receive is one they deserve.

But if you're of a mindset that believes a return to 2001-2008 would be sheer insanity, then you probably agree we've got no choice but to save the Democrats from themselves.

Memo To: President Obama and the Democratic Party Leadership

From: Michael Moore

Subject: 5 Things Dems Can Do to Turn It Around by November 2nd

1. Immediate Wall-to-Wall TV Ads, Internet Videos, and Appearances Hammering Who the Hell Put Us in the Misery We're In.
We Americans have very short attention spans (Quick: Who Won the Oscar for Best Picture last year? The World Series? Exactly.). People need to be reminded over and over that it was the REPUBLICANS who concocted and led the unnecessary invasion of two countries, putting us in our longest war ever, wars that will eventually cost us over $3 trillion. Bush and Co. also caused the biggest collapse of our economy since the Great Depression. I don't know a single person in Hollywood who wouldn't shoot and produce those spots for you for FREE. Dems: Do not pull a single punch on this. Quit being a bunch of wusses and let the bastards have it! The public will be astonished that you've found your courage and your spine. We expect you to be Muhammad Ali, not Ally McBeal.

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Paladion LIED !!

ALBANY - Flame-throwing Carl Paladino on Thursday backed down from his unsubstantiated claim that Democratic foe Andrew Cuomo cheated on his wife.

Paladino told the Buffalo News he never intended to make the allegation, but was simply frustrated by attention on his own personal life.

Read more:

Carl Paladino Vs. Fred Dicker, Cuddly Bear Style

Carl Paladino: The Dirty Details in His Campaign Filings

The Times and the Daily News ran stories yesterday exposing the shady conspiracy that is the Paladino For The People campaign.

The $53,000 tax lien against campaign spokesman Michael Caputo unearthed by the Times got a taunting "so what" from Caputo himself. Stiffing the IRS just proved again, as Caputo put it, that this is "a campaign of junkyard dogs."

No wonder Caputo, Carl, and the rest chat so comfortably with Duke, the untethered pit bull that accompanies Paladino on baby-kiss-free campaign swings. "Carl knows each of us comes to the campaign with warts," Caputo continued, acknowledging even that the candidate "has his own" warts. "We don't hide anything."

Actually, the so-called disclosure forms that People for Paladino filed with the State Board of Elections were designed to hide a lot, in apparent violation of state law.

Most hidden was the viral hand of the man who manufactured Paladino but never directly appears on his campaign filings, Roger Stone, the infamous Republican dirty trickster who suggested to the Times in August that he was advising Paladino pro-bono, which literally means "for the public good."

With a tattoo of Richard Nixon's head on his back, Stone's scandals started with Watergate, when he was 19, and peaked in 1996 when ads he placed in Local Swing Fever picturing himself and his wife seeking "athletes and military men" cost him a key role in Bob Dole's presidential campaign. He reached legendary proportions in a New Yorker profile in 2008 subtitled "Campaign tips from the man who's done it all," lodged over a bare-chested photo of a smug Stone, who'd described himself as "handsome body builder husband" in that long-ago ad.

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